10 Seeds You Should Plant This Fall for a Flavor-Packed Harvest Sow these seeds in late September or early October. Close Credit: Sandra Westermann / Getty Images As the days get shorter and the heat of summer fades, it’s time to start thinking about your fall garden. Autumn is an excellent time to plant various cold-tolerant herbs and vegetables, as pest pressure is typically lower. Cooler nights and shorter days also bring out sweeter flavors. For quick germination, Stephen Reiners, professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell AgriTech, recommends putting clear plastic over rows after planting. "This will raise the soil temperature from 65 to 75 and seeds will sprout much quicker. Once you see the first sprouts, remove the plastic," he says. Reiner also recommends making a shallow furrow in the soil to plant the seeds. He waters the furrow, sows the seeds, then covers them with soil. "I don't water the furrows after I cover them as I provided the water pre-seeding," he says. "Sometimes when you water after planting, it creates a soil crust, which can inhibit emergence." With these tips in mind, our experts recommend sowing the following seeds in the fall. Stephen Reiners, professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science, horticulture section, at Cornell AgriTech Katie Oglesby, founder of Kitchen Garden Design House 01 of 10 Greens Credit: alvarez / Getty Images Reiners says greens are the best seeds to plant in the fall in the northeast. "These would include lettuce (leaf and Bibb types), spinach, Swiss chard, kale, mustard, bok choy, arugula, and beet greens," he says. Reiners adds that another option is purchasing a seed packet of mixed greens. He recommends spicy or mild mixes that you seed heavily and can harvest as microgreens. Zones: Varies depending on seed typeSize: Varies depending on seed typeCare requirements: Varies depending on seed type 02 of 10 Radishes Credit: Roger Sherman / GETTY IMAGES For a fast-growing crop, Katie Oglesby, founder of Kitchen Garden Design House, recommends radishes. "Radishes are one of the fastest crops you can grow in fall, with some ready in just 18 days," she says. "Cooler weather makes them crisp and mild. They prefer soil that has not been heavily fertilized and actually do better in leaner conditions." She says to thin seedlings early for good root development and to succession sow for multiple harvests. Zones: 2 to 10Size: 6 to 8 inches tall x 2 to 4 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; loose, well-draining soil, not heavily fertilized 03 of 10 Green Onions Credit: Zoya2222 / Getty Images Cold-tolerant and easy to succession sow, green onions, also known as scallions, are a great fall crop. "They can be harvested at multiple stages and are versatile in the kitchen," says Oglesby. She recommends growing 'Evergreen Hardy White,' a cold-tolerant, reliable variety; 'Parade,' which produces uniform, upright plants; 'Guardsman,' a mild, quick-growing variety; and 'Nabechan,' a crisp Japanese type. Zones: 3 to 9Size: 12 to 20 inches tall x 1 inch wideCare requirements: Full sun; loose, fertile, evenly moist soil 04 of 10 Beets Credit: wmaster890 / Getty Images For delicious, fresh harvests, sow beet seeds in fall when the heat of summer has passed. "Beets are sweeter when grown in cooler weather," says Oglesby. "You get both delicious roots and tender greens, and they hold well into fall." Zones: 2 to 10 Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 3 to 6 inches wide Care requirements: Full sun; loose, fertile soil 05 of 10 Carrots Credit: Nikolaeva Elena / Getty Images Like beets, Oglesby notes that carrots become especially sweet in fall, particularly after a light frost. "Choosing the right variety is key for a timely harvest before winter," she says. Her recommended varieties include 'Napoli,' which is great for fresh eating; 'Yaya,' a uniform variety with crisp texture; and 'Rubypac,' which yields a deep red-orange color and has rich flavor. Zones: 3 to 10 Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 1 to 2 inches wide Care requirements: Full sun; loose, sandy, well-draining soil 06 of 10 Leeks Credit: YuriyS / GETTY IMAGES Leeks are delicious, herbaceous perennials that are often grown as annual vegetables in most zones. "Leeks love the cool season and can stand in the garden well into winter," says Oglesby. "Their mild, sweet flavor is enhanced by cold weather." Zones: 3 to 10 Size: 12 to 30 inches tall x 1 to 2 inches wide Care requirements: Full sun; rich, fertile, moist soil 07 of 10 Cilantro Credit: Kritchai Chaibangyang / GETTY IMAGES Some plants bolt (go to seed) quickly in summer heat, shortening your window for harvesting. This is the case for cilantro, which is why fall planting is ideal. Oglesby recommends succession sowing to enjoy a steady supply throughout the entire season. Zones: 2 to 11Size: 12 to 14 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; loose, well-draining soil 08 of 10 Dill Credit: DevidDO / Getty Images Another plant that can bolt in too-hot conditions, dill is the perfect herb to plant in fall. "Dill thrives in cooler weather and produces both flavorful leaves and seeds," says Oglesby. Dill can be fragile, so close-planting or providing supports like stakes or cages may be necessary. To keep it from falling over, make sure you sow seeds in an area that receives adequate sunlight. Zones: 2 to 9Size: 18 to 36 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining, moderately rich soil 09 of 10 Broccoli Credit: thepicthing A cool-season staple, broccoli thrives in fall when temperatures are mild. For fall planting, Oglesby recommends shorter-day varieties or transplants to ensure harvests before frost. Her recommended varieties include 'Belstar,' a cold-tolerant, reliable variety; 'Arcadia,' which is frost-resistant; and 'Monty,' which is early to sprout and produces uniform heads. Zones: 3 to 10 Size: 18 to 30 inches tall x 18 to 24 inches wide Care requirements: Full sun; rich, well-draining soil 10 of 10 Cauliflower Credit: ZenShui/Laurence Mouton / GETTY IMAGES According to Oglesby, cauliflower can be more particular but is worth growing in the fall. Like broccoli, she recommends growing shorter-day varieties in northern climates, such as 'Clementine,' 'Cheddar,' and 'Snow Crown.' Zones: 2 to 11Size: 18 to 30 inches tall x 18 to 24 inches wide Care requirements: Full sun; rich, moist, well-draining soil Explore more: Garden Vegetable Garden Ideas